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Related Concept Videos

Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation
08:47

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Published on: March 5, 2018

Caspase-2 as a tumour suppressor.

J Puccini1, L Dorstyn, S Kumar

  • 1Department of Haematology, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

Cell Death and Differentiation
|July 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Caspase-2, once thought to induce cell death, actually acts as a tumor suppressor. Loss of caspase-2 in mice promotes cancer, highlighting its protective role against cellular stress and transformation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Caspase-2's role in apoptosis has been debated due to conflicting in vitro and in vivo data.
  • Caspase-2-deficient mice exhibit only minor, tissue-specific defects in cell death.
  • Recent studies suggest non-apoptotic functions for caspase-2 in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging role of caspase-2 as a tumor suppressor.
  • To reconcile conflicting findings regarding caspase-2's function.
  • To focus on the non-apoptotic, tumor-suppressive activities of caspase-2.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of in vivo studies using caspase-2-deficient mice.
  • Integration of findings from different research laboratories.

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Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches
05:56

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches

Published on: October 13, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation
08:47

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Published on: March 5, 2018

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches
05:56

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches

Published on: October 13, 2022

Main Results:

  • Caspase-2 deficiency enhances tumorigenesis in certain cancer models.
  • Caspase-2 appears to protect against cellular stress and transformation.
  • This suggests a physiological role for caspase-2 beyond apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Caspase-2 functions as a tumor suppressor, not primarily an apoptosis inducer.
  • Its role in protecting against cellular stress is critical for preventing cancer.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate caspase-2's complex functions.